On March 15, 1565, the so-called Sandugo or blood compact was made between Datu Sikatuna, a native chieftain of Bohol and Captain General Miguel Lopez de Legazpi of Spain.[2]

Tagbilaran, specifically the district of Bool, witnessed the forging of the first international treaty of peace and friendship between two nations of different race and religion. The two sealed their friendship through the shedding of blood, drawing drops of blood from their arms and drinking this from a cup mixed with wine.

The Blood Compact is one of the most historical events in the annals of Philippine history, not only of Tagbilaran City and the whole province. Even the painter Juan Luna immortalized this momentous ceremony in a canvass which has long been revered as one of his masterpieces.

Bohol is the home to some Filipino artists. Kabilang na rito si Napoleon Abueva, the youngest National Artist Awardee and considered as the Father of Modern Filipino Sculpture.[4] You can see his work along the national road, in front of a public school in Barangay Bool. For some, this might be just another statue built in the plazas and shrine, but to Boholanos, it is a symbol of their hospitality going back all the way to our colonial past.

I am inviting all of you to see the exhibit of Napoleon Abueva at the National Museum here in Tagbilaran to know more about your National Artist.

This is only a one step in achieving a culturally and historically aware environment for the Boholanos. Let us always look back at our past and learn that these are what contributed greatly in shaping who we have become today and, to one extent, what our future as a people will be.

Nais ko ding ipaabot ang aking pagbati sa lahat ng mga kalahok sa Kuradang at Sandugo street dancing competition mula sa 12 bayan at mga barangay ng Bohol. Do not just treat this participation as a competition. This is a great opportunity to showcase your talent, creativity, passion, and love for your history.

More importantly, celebrations like this is a great avenue to show our young people that there is always a fun way to learn and be engaged in showing to the rest of the country, and even to the world, beginnings of our history as a people and as a nation.